Of late, we have had several issues that have caused controversy in the Christian community. All extremes are represented by those who feel very strongly that their position is the “Christian” one.
As believers (in God), we have an answer the world does not. One of the biggest divides we have is the difference in experiences.
On one hand there are those who spend hours addressing the government and their social media audience, picketing corruption, campaigning for alternative candidates and using all means available to influence and improve the quality of government to conform it to what they trust is appropriate and acceptable before God.
At the other extreme are those who take Jesus’ words “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36) as their motto, refusing to vote or get involved in any effort to affect the culture in which we live.
I believe the root of many of the conflicts surrounding political relations in the country center around heart issues.
Perhaps the best way to understand our responsibilities in the social/cultural arena is to look to Jesus for our example. Jesus lived in one of history’s most corrupt societies. But He perfectly maintained His Father’s perspective on social and political matters, even though He lived in a society that was every bit as pagan and corrupt as today’s culture.
We have to address our loyalties. Our loyalty is not to our grandparents, the government, our party members, our friends; as believers, our loyalty is to Scripture. Not on emotions.
If your identity is not grounded in Christ, you’re going to be all over the place. You’re going be like a leaf blown by the wind. Instead of focusing on earthly differences and presenting more reasons for conflict, we need to look at the importance of looking at the union people have as children of God.
Jesus knew what many today fail to grasp: governments and institutions are made up of people. When people’s hearts are changed by Christ, godly governments and institutions will follow. If the hearts of the people are corrupt, getting them together in groups only multiplies the corruption. What we need is not better government, but better men and women in government.
Can we picket, campaign, and lobby our leaders on issues of concern to us? Certainly, as long as we keep the ultimate goal in mind—to win people to Christ. Too often that goal and the activities described above are in conflict.
As Jesus Ministered, Cruel tyrants and dictators ruled throughout the region, and the institution of slavery was firmly entrenched. Legal and economic oppression of the Jews by Rome was rampant, dwarfing anything we experience today. But even in the face of such tyranny, Jesus never issued a call for political changes, even by peaceful means.
He never attempted to “capture the culture” for biblical morality. He did not come to earth to be a political or social reformer. Rather, He came to establish a new spiritual order. He came not to make the old order moral through social and governmental reform, but to make new creatures (His people) holy through the saving power of the gospel and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Should I repeat that? Through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit!
Christian Leaders, ours is a spiritual battle against worldly ideologies and dogmas that are arrayed against God and his people, and we achieve victory over them only with the weapon of Scripture.
If you are for God, you do not keep Him out of the equation. You speak what He says, not led or driven by the day’s emotions. If you are for God, His fruits will certainly be manifest through you.
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By Samuel Balagadde – He is an evangelist and minister at Praise Christian tabernacle Church.
